One of the reasons Florida has become much more competitive for Democrats in presidential races in recent years is because of the state’s growing Hispanic population.

A new poll, from a liberal immigration advocacy group, shows Latino voters could help both Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in Florida this year.

The poll from America’s Voice — which surveyed 400 Hispanic voters in Florida — had Obama leading Mitt Romney among registered Latino voters by 61-31 percent and Nelson over Connie Mack IV by 53-23 percent.

The economy and jobs were the top issue among the voters — at 52 percent — followed by immigration issues — at 36 percent.

Obama’s support was boosted by his endorsement of the DREAM act, which provides a pathway for some young Hispanics who are illegally in the country to obtain citizenship if they are going to college or joining the military. Romney was hurt by his comments in favor of “self-deportation” and his support for immigrations laws similar to what Arizona has passed.

Some 70 percent of the Hispanic voters said they were “very enthusiastic” about this year’s election.

The voters identified themselves as 41 percent as Democrats, 27 percent as Republicans and 23 percent as independents.

The poll was conducted Sept. 22-28 and had a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

CONGRESSIONAL UPSETS

The Nov. 6 election will be an important family affair in the Mack household.

U.S. Rep. Connie Mack IV, R-Fort Myers, is challenging Democratic U.S. Senate Bill Nelson. And Mack’s wife, U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, is defending her House seat in a California contest.

According to polls, Mack, the son of former U.S. Sen. Connie Mack, faces an uphill battle against Nelson, who is seeking his third Senate term.

This week Politico identified Mary Bono Mack’s California seat as one of five U.S. House seats where the Democrats have a shot at knocking off the Republican incumbents.

Mack is facing a challenge from Raul Ruiz, an emergency room physician who is expected to attract support from Latino voters who make up about 40 percent of the California district, according to Politico’s analysis.

“The congresswoman is still the favorite: Her district has added Republican voters since her 2010 election, when she won by 10 percentage points. But Republicans acknowledge she has a fight on her hands,” Politico wrote.

As a side note, Politico also identified two Florida congressional seats now held by Republicans as potential upsets. The incumbents are U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, who is defending his Tallahassee-area seat against former state Sen. Al Lawson, and U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, the former state House speaker who is defending his Orlando-area seat against Val Demmings.

WINNER OF THE WEEK: Florida. CNBC.com reported that Florida led the nation in receiving federal funding, based on population, in the 2011 fiscal year. It worked out to $578 billion, or $30,318 for each of the state’s 19 million residents. The federal dollar totals included programs such as Social Security and Medicare, which are widely used in a state with a large senior population.

LOSER OF THE WEEK: Strategic Allied Consulting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced it has opened a criminal investigation into the Virginia-based firm, which was hired by the state Republican Party to register new voters. Registration forms submitted by the company have been flagged as suspicious by elections supervisors in a handful of Florida counties.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “He is a fine young man and I’m supporting him,” state Sen. Jack Latvala, R-St. Petersburg, told the Florida Times-Union about Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, whom Latvala opposed in a bitter GOP primary but is now helping him raise money for his general election Senate campaign.